Green Party to vote for waka-jumping bill

The Green Party says it is having to swallow a dead rat by voting for the waka-jumping legislation.

Green Party MP Eugenie Sage Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

This legislation is part of the coalition agreement between Labour and New Zealand First and would prevent MPs switching parties during the term, or striking out as an independent if they are ejected from their caucus.

Similar laws have been passed by Parliament with sunset clauses, and every time the Green Party has railed against them.

In 1999, the-then Green Party co-leader Rod Donald called the legislation anti-democratic, draconian and warned it would turn MPs into robots

The Greens supported the current bill to select committee, then said they would consider whether to support it further - which they have now opted to do.